Chess

Michael Adams showed fine defensive skills to save the third game of his world championship semi-final against Viswanathan Anand. In the diagram position, Adams, playing White, was clearly under pressure. The main threat is 1...Rxf2 2.Kxf2 Bd4+.

Adams countered it with 1.Ne3, but after Anand's 1...Qd2, he seemed to have fallen into a trap. Either 2.Qxc4 or 2.Nxc4 loses to 2...Qxf2+, while 2.Qc2 simply loses a pawn to Qxc2 and Nxb2.

In fact, it was Anand who had fallen into the trap. His 1...Qd2 was met by 2.Nf5!! solving all White's problems at a stroke. After 2...exf5 3.Qxc4+ Kh8 4.exf5 Rxf5 5.Bg3 Qd6 6.Rxe5 Rxe5 7.Bxe5 the players agreed a draw.

Adams missed his chance when he overlooked 2.Nf5. Instead of 1...Qd2, he should have played 1...Bd4! when 2.cxd4 loses the queen, 2.Nxc4 loses to Bxf2+, and 2.Qxd4 Qxd4 3.Nxd4 Bxf2+ is no better. White's only chance is 2.Ng4, but after 2...Bxf2+ 3.Nxf2 Qg3 4.Re2 Ne3 5.Qxe6+ Kg7 6.Qe7+ Rf7 7.Nh1 Qf4 Black is winning. A narrow escape for Adams.